More skills based grading at madison hs

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Don’t forget they tried to force schools to accept IB years ago. Parents at Woodson revolted and they stopped replacing AP with IB at any more schools. You just need parents who care more about academics than sports.

Or maybe we (1) care less about grades than some, and (2) are more accepting of our kids going to X college than some; or (3) don't see the alleged detrimental effects that some do.

And some have kids that do the ungraded homework to test well enough to get all A's without drama/stress.

Yes, let's protect these kids from any stress or drama. A great way to help kids develop resilience and fortitude. One day, when they encounter difficulties and failure, they will know just how to prevail and will find a way to succeed and become strong, happy individuals.

I can’t help but think that all the parents that will be for SBG will be same on another thread who are calling in to say their kids are sick on skip day. Good for Woodson parents if didn’t want a curriculum change and actually made it happen (meaning no change was made). I didn’t know that was possible to pull off.

Re-posting to get the separation right (from the PPs and my comments):


We just aren't THAT RILED UP ABOUT IT! We know our kids are learning. Grades are just grades. They don't DEFINE who my kid is or who I am as a parent. My kid is choosing to go to a college where their grades will be a good match to that school. Low stress.

I get the impression that you are really stressing over the college admissions outcome, and THAT is driving this frustration with SBG.

[Anonymous]

OK -- I don't know why it isn't working to quote the PPs... but you get the idea.

[Anonymous]

Admin has found the thread. Oh wait, no, not admin, she's the mom of the straight A junior.

[Anonymous]

Her "friend" will chime in backing her up in a second.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Admin has found the thread. Oh wait, no, not admin, she's the mom of the straight A junior.

Yes, of course! It's the administration!

I'm starting to wonder: Do you reflexively post "IT'S THE ADMINISTRATION!" when a comment hits a nerve? Seems like it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:All parents are encouraged to send comments to [e-mail]

Is this someone at Instructional Services?

Also fill out the principal survey - we need a new principal at Madison!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I work at Herndon HS. Our school had SBG implemented this year. About a month ago email was sent from our principal to all staff saying the school had an event when representatives from other FCPS schools came to visit to learn about SBG. She said there was a panel of students answering questions from the guests. She said students were all very happy with SBG, mentioned better relationship with teachers, less stress, etc. I am not going to say she lied but.. to be honest, I wondered how the students were selected for the panel. Anyhow, that is apparently the message all those guests left with. Just saying.

So what do YOU think? Do you think SBG is as bad as the Madison posters claim, or do you think your principal is trying to suck up to Gatehouse by saying SBG is an improvement?

Is it possible that it's implemented differently in the two schools?

It does seem like it is SOME Madison kids and parents unhappy. Maybe other schools are using + and - grades in every class.

Yes, would agree. Most of the parents at the focus group had kids who were high-achievers so frustrated at the push to keep the grades in the middle. If you have a more laid back kid already in the middle or a kid struggling just to pass, this system is probably looking pretty good to you. Wish there was a way to make more people happy.

Not in my focus group. Parents who cared about education made up the entire group, but the kids were all over the map in terms of abilities. You think a parent who doesn't care about education much is going to show up to a focus group? It's not going to happen.

[Anonymous]

Filling out Madison principal survey:

Demonstrates a commitment to student learning: Strongly disagree
Demonstrates a commitment to the success of all students: Strongly disagree
Implements appropriate opportunities for interventions to promote student learning: Strongly disagree

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Filling out Madison principal survey:

Demonstrates a commitment to student learning: Strongly disagree
Demonstrates a commitment to the success of all students: Strongly disagree
Implements appropriate opportunities for interventions to promote student learning: Strongly disagree

Are you writing in comments why strongly disagree? Just saying SBG or explaining more?

[Anonymous]

That's just from part of the survey. There are at least 3 opportunities to write detailed comments.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Don’t forget they tried to force schools to accept IB years ago. Parents at Woodson revolted and they stopped replacing AP with IB at any more schools. You just need parents who care more about academics than sports.

Or maybe we (1) care less about grades than some, and (2) are more accepting of our kids going to X college than some; or (3) don't see the alleged detrimental effects that some do.

And some have kids that do the ungraded homework to test well enough to get all A's without drama/stress.

Yes, let's protect these kids from any stress or drama. A great way to help kids develop resilience and fortitude. One day, when they encounter difficulties and failure, they will know just how to prevail and will find a way to succeed and become strong, happy individuals.

I can’t help but think that all the parents that will be for SBG will be same on another thread who are calling in to say their kids are sick on skip day. Good for Woodson parents if didn’t want a curriculum change and actually made it happen (meaning no change was made). I didn’t know that was possible to pull off.

We just aren't THAT RILED UP ABOUT IT! We know our kids are learning. Grades are just grades. They don't DEFINE who my kid is or who I am as a parent. My kid is choosing to go to a college where their grades will be a good match to that school. Low stress.

I get the impression that you are really stressing over the college admissions outcome, and THAT is driving this frustration with SBG.

This laid back approach is totally fine and is working for your kid. But I have a kid who loves school and is a high achiever. They deserve the same college opportunities as any other kid in the county. College is also the single biggest expense for our family by a lot, other than our house. So I care. I care a lot that only 37 percent of Madison applications were accepted at Vtech last year which is way lower than others in FCPS.

[Anonymous]

Lady, your kid is no high achiever and the parents of high achievers don’t talk like you. You are only on here to shut down the conversation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Lady, your kid is no high achiever and the parents of high achievers don’t talk like you. You are only on here to shut down the conversation.

Because only the voices of the "high achievers" should be heard?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lady, your kid is no high achiever and the parents of high achievers don’t talk like you. You are only on here to shut down the conversation.

Because only the voices of the "high achievers" should be heard?

I don’t understand your point. If your kid does not care what grade they get, then why can’t we just go back to the old grading structure. Presumably they would also be fine with that one too. Everyone is happy then.

[Anonymous]

Need more dei approach to grading. Not always about test scores.

Anonymous wrote:This is how Madison explains it. It is insanity! However, it seems more like grade inflation than a detriment.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QNvfPlr3YKI&t=715s